STACK #225 July 2023

TECH FEATURE

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A smart function available in some headphones and earbuds, adaptive audio is designed to detect your surroundings and subsequently adjust ambient sound to optimise listening. It can also learn to recognise frequently visited locations, like the office or gym, and switch to the respective sound mode. Adaptive audio

TOP TIP

A melomaniac is somebody who has an excessive or abnormal attraction to music. DYK?

Call convenience

To maintain good hearing health, strike a proper balance between the length of time you’re listening and the volume level.The rule of thumb is 80% volume for a maximum 90 minutes per day, but aim for 60% of max volume for greater benefits to your hearing.

Most earbuds and headphones have built-in microphones to enable convenient hands-free communication, so you don’t need to take them off and grab your phone whenever a call comes in. As long as your phone is paired via Bluetooth, you can take it with a simple touch of the bud or earcup. Some models include the option to switch between calls, put callers on hold, make calls and send text messages from a contact list using your preferred voice assistant, and auto-pause music when a call comes in. Headphones and earbuds with multiple – or beamforming – microphones use noise-rejecting algorithms to filter out background sounds and boost call clarity, and can also detect and reduce wind noise. Some also utilise advanced audio signal processing for voice recognition, and speech enhancement to isolate voices from general noise and amplify them for clearer conversations. You can also make and take calls with compatible smart speakers via their supported voice assistants, and some portable Bluetooth speakers have inbuilt microphones for hands-free calls – but always check the device specs first if this is a feature you want in a portable speaker.

Typically in today’s market, the headphones or earbuds you’re shopping for will feature touch controls on the cups or buds, which are well suited for most uses. But choosing between these and traditional tactile buttons comes down to personal preference. Skipping or pausing a track by touching an earpad whilst walking the dog is a straightforward process, but for a heavy (and sweaty) workout in the gym, where quick and accurate access is required, a more tangible button on the rim of the earcup might be a better option. Touch or no touch

JULY 2023

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